#038 - Staying on track this Christmas
Christmas is a time for connection, celebration, indulgence and joy. It is also a time when routines get looser, drinks flow more freely, and sugary treats appear on every surface. And that is okay. Trying to be overly strict during the holidays often backfires, leading to guilt, binge–restrict cycles, or the feeling of “starting over” in January. With a little intention, you can enjoy everything Christmas has to offer, food, drinks, rest and fun, without feeling like you have abandoned yourself in the process. Here is how to strike that balance.
Start Each Day With a Small Win, Preferably Movement
One of the easiest ways to stay grounded over the festive season is to begin your day with something for you. It does not need to be a full workout or anything intense. A short walk, gentle jog, or simple stretching session is enough to shift your mindset.
Why it works:
Movement boosts energy and mood
You start the day intentionally instead of reactively
It naturally influences better choices later without forcing anything
Aim for a short run, brisk walk, or even ten minutes of mobility most mornings of the holidays. If there is one morning you skip, let it be Christmas Day, wake up slowly, enjoy the magic, and move later if you feel like it.
Choose Your Indulgences, Don’t Let Them Choose You
Drink, eat sugar, enjoy the cheese boards, and say yes to dessert, but choose consciously. Before going back for more, ask yourself:
Do I really want this or is it just here?
Will I enjoy it or am I eating or drinking because everyone else is?
How will I feel after?
This is not about restriction, it is about making indulgence intentional rather than automatic. Say yes to the treats you truly love and no to the ones you do not care about.
Build in Some Normal Meals
Holiday eating can feel chaotic because it becomes continuous grazing. You can enjoy every festive flavour while still keeping your body balanced by anchoring the day with one or two normal meals. Consider incorporating:
A protein forward breakfast
A balanced lunch if dinner will be big
A filling snack before parties so you are not arriving starving
This stabilises appetite, reduces overeating, and supports steady energy.
Use Alcohol Strategically Without Cutting It Out
You do not need to stop drinking, but you can drink more intentionally without dulling the fun. Try things like:
Starting with a glass of water before your first drink
Alternating alcoholic drinks with non alcoholic ones
Choosing drinks you genuinely enjoy instead of accepting automatic top ups
Setting a soft limit such as “I will enjoy two or three drinks tonight”
This keeps you present and feeling good while still celebrating.
Prioritise Presence Over Excess
The most memorable parts of Christmas are rarely the third glass of Prosecco or the extra chocolates. They are the moments of connection. Make room for:
Games
Walks with family
Deep conversations
Shared moments in the kitchen
Quiet downtime
Traditions that make the season feel special
When your focus is presence, you naturally consume more consciously.
Let Go of All or Nothing Thinking
One heavy meal or boozy night does not undo anything, and one morning walk or light lunch does not fix anything. Every decision is simply one decision. If you go harder than planned one day, do not punish yourself. Just make the next choice a supportive one and keep going.
Set Gentle Boundaries With Yourself
Instead of deciding where to draw the line in the moment, decide ahead of time how you want to feel during the season. Ask yourself:
How do I want to remember this holiday?
What matters most to me, fun, connection, energy, freedom?
What choices support those things?
Let your answers guide you.
Be Kind to Yourself
The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. The goal is not perfection, it is balance, joy and self respect. If you move your body most days, stay hydrated, include a few balanced meals, and indulge intentionally, you will enjoy the season fully and enter January feeling good rather than in damage control mode.
In the End
Move most mornings, enjoy the foods you love, drink, laugh, savour the sugar, and stay present. You can enjoy Christmas wholeheartedly without losing the habits that make you feel your best.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you all :) This will be the final email of 2025....but we will be back in 2026.
James Culmer-Shields - Founder